Sydney 2000

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Olympic opening ceremonies are usually built around the host city, but the 2000 Games went a step further to celebrate the whole of Australia, not just the city of Sydney.

The ceremony began when a lone horseman galloped into the centre of the stadium, stopped and looked at the crowd of 11,000 spectators. His horse reared up onto its hind legs and the rider cracked his whip.

Suddenly the stadium erupted as more than 100 horses and riders thundered onto the scene.

After the horses had left the arena, a small girl skipped into view carrying a beach towel. She fell asleep in the sunshine and began to dream. Then the stadium burst into life with spectacular displays of Australian life and culture.

Everyone agreed that the 2000 Sydney opening ceremony was one of the best ever.